The Caribbean

The Caribbean is the place to go when you need a break from the fast, hectic pace of everyday life. In this part of the world, time slows to a crawl. The culture is laid back, accepting and incredibly friendly to visitors, so you are sure to feel welcome wherever you go. Of the hundreds of islands in the region, only a handful are regularly visited by tourists. Each sovereign state and territory has its own unique culture, and there are advantages to visiting each one. So, where should you go? How can you possibly narrow things down? A great first step is familiarizing yourself with the most popular destinations. Once you’ve found one that suits your fancy, dig a little more deeply to create the ultimate Caribbean vacation itinerary.

The region that makes up what is known as the Caribbean is sometimes also referred to as the Caribbean Islands, Islands of the Caribbean, or the West Indies.

The Caribbean Islands as a tourist destination

When most people envision a tropical beach vacation, the Caribbean springs to mind. With hundreds of islands scattered mostly across the far western portion of the North Atlantic – which is known as the Caribbean Sea – the region boasts an amazing year-round climate, countless miles of white sand beaches, gorgeous coral reefs, shimmering, crystal-clear water, incredible biodiversity and much more. It’s little wonder, then, that people flock here when they need to get away from it all.

The Caribbean islands are one of the most prestigious tourist destinations in the world. Served with a immensity offer of leisure , in the Caribbean you can live a dream life, practicing sports, relaxing, diving, watching wildlife, sailing, strolling on the beach, on the mountain, having fun at parties, living in an isolated area, what you like best, you can do in the Caribbean … We were truly happy for you with your your preference.
Welcome to the Caribbean!

Caribbean islands geography and climate

Caribbean Islands is a massive archipelago located in the Caribbean Sea. The Caribbean can be subdivided into a few different regions: the Lucayan Archipelago, the Greater Antilles, the Lesser Antilles and the ABC Islands. There are 13 sovereign states and 17 dependent territories in the Caribbean, and English, Spanish, French, Dutch and Antillean creole are the predominant languages. The Caribbean sprawls across more than 1.06 million square miles and is primarily located between North America and South America. Most of the islands are located in the Caribbean Sea, but quite a few are technically located in the North Atlantic. The most popular and most visited region in the Caribbean is the Greater Antilles, which includes Jamaica, Cuba and the Dominican Republic. The Lucayan Archipelago is located in the northern part of the region while the Lesser Antilles are to the east. The western – and southernmost portion includes numerous smaller islands that mostly belong to countries in Central America and South America.

In addition to boasting incredible scenery, the Caribbean is blessed with amazing weather. Though the climate varies, it is overwhelmingly tropical, with most areas enjoying sunny, warm weather throughout the year. Rainfall varies according to factors like water currents, island size and elevation, but the rainy season typically falls during the second half of the year, with the dry season falling during the first half. For this reason, late winter through early spring tends to be the most popular time to vacation in this tropical paradise.

People of the Caribbean islands

The Caribbean is a true melting pot. It was originally inhabited by Arawak Indians. Later, Caribs, a rival tribe, invaded. They are also the inspiration for the name of the Caribbean Sea and the region as a whole, though their culture is almost entirely extinct now. Through the centuries, a bevy of European nations has swept through the Caribbean. They colonized most of the major islands here, and many of those islands remain under the control of countries like the U.K., the Netherlands and France. However, several others have since won their independence.

The racial makeup of the Caribbean is incredibly diverse. People of African ancestry tend to make up the majority in the French Caribbean, Dutch Caribbean and Anglophone Caribbean. Asians make up a significant minority in the region as well. Most inhabitants are of mixed race backgrounds, and their ancestries include Dutch, English, Italian, Portuguese and Italian. Mulattoes, people of African and European descent, make up a significant minority in the Spanish-speaking Caribbean. In most of the larger islands across the Caribbean, people of African descent make up the majority.

This melting pot of cultures and ethnicities makes the Caribbean a wonderfully diverse and fascinating place. While most come here for the great weather and incredible beaches, the region is jam-packed with incredible cultural and historical attractions as well, and they are well worth checking out.

Caribbean Languages and Religion

Because of the diversity of the region and the many cultures that have come and go through the years, dozens of languages are spoken across the Caribbean. However, the predominating languages are Spanish, English, French, Dutch and various creole dialects. Fortunately for travelers from the U.S., English is spoken widely across the region, so there’s typically no language barrier to worry about. Still, before visiting a country here, do some research about the languages that are most commonly spoken to ensure that you are as prepared as possible for your visit. As for religion, Christianity is practiced across the majority of the region. In fact, it is the official religion of several territories and countries here.

Attractions and things to do

In addition to having a diverse population, the Caribbean boasts a diverse array of terrains and topographies. Not surprisingly, attractions involving the water tend to be the most popular. Sun worshipping, or just laying out on the beach in the sun, is among the most popular pastimes here. However, visitors also enjoy snorkeling, scuba diving, kayaking, windsurfing, diving, sailing and other water-related activities.

Depending on where you go in the Caribbean, you can also avail yourself of numerous other fun activities. A few examples include horseback riding, biking, hiking, rock climbing and spelunking, or exploring caves. Several major cities are located in the Caribbean, so it’s easy to find fun things to do throughout the region. Historical and cultural attractions include forts, plantations, museums, lighthouses and much more. Many cities, towns and villages boast amazing colonial and Victorian architecture too.

The Lucayan Archipelago

Although it’s considered to be part of the Caribbean, the Lucayan Archipelago is technically located in the western part of the North Atlantic. It’s north of the equator and the Antilles and east-southeast of Florida. It is comprised of the

• Turks and Caicos
• The Bahamas.

Its proximity to the U.S. makes it a very popular vacation destination for American tourists

The Greater Antilles

As the most-visited region in the Caribbean, the Greater Antilles sees a massive influx of tourists every year. It also accounts for more than 94 percent of the total landmass of the West Indies and more than 90 percent of its population, so it is a major standout in the region. The Greater Antilles consist of Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Haiti, Jamaica, Puerto Rico and the Cayman Islands. Thanks to its proximity to North America, it is a convenient option for anyone who wants to experience the best that the Caribbean has to offer.

• Cuba
• Cayman Islands
• Dominican Republic
• Haiti
• Jamaica
• Puerto Rico

The Lesser Antilles

The majority of the islands in the Lesser Antilles form the border between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic. They are located in the northern part of the West Indies and are made up of much smaller islands than those of the Greater Antilles. The islands here are further divided into three regions:

• the Leeward Islands,
• the Windward Islands,
• the ABC Islands.

The Leeward Islands

Hundreds of tiny islands, including various territories and sovereign states, make up the Leeward Islands of the Caribbean. They are located in the hurricane band of the Caribbean, so it is generally best not to plan a vacation here between July and October.

• Anguilla
• Antigua and Barbuda
• Saint Martin
• Sint Maarten
• British Virgin Islands
• Saint Barthélemy
• Saba
• Sint Eustatius
• St. Kitts and Nevis
• U.S. Virgin Islands
• Montserrat
• Guadeloupe

The Windward Islands

While planning your Caribbean getaway, don’t overlook the Windward Islands of the Lesser Antilles. These include vacation hotspots like the Barbados, St. Lucia and Trinidad and Tobago, and cruise ships stop in ports of call throughout the region.

• Dominica
• Martinque
• Barbados
• Grenada
• Saint Lucia
• St. Vincent and the Grenadines
• Trinidad and Tobago

ABC Islands

This last batch of islands rounds up the Lesser Antilles. One of the top perks of vacationing here is that they are out of the dreaded hurricane belt, so you can more safely plan a trip here virtually any time of year. The name of this group of islands comes from the first initial of the three territories and states of which it is comprised: Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao.

• Aruba
• Bonaire
• Curaçao
• Federal Dependencies of Venezuela

The islands along the north coast of Venezuela and politically part of that country are also considered part of the Lesser Antilles:

• Los Roques Archipelago
• Margarita Island
• Coche
• Cubagua
• La Orchila
• La Tortuga
• Blanquilla
• and other smaller islands

We’ve only skimmed the surface of the amazing adventures that await you in the Caribbean. Whether you head to the Lesser Antilles, hightail it to the Lucayan Archipelago or plan a trip to the Greater Antilles, you’re sure to have the time of your life.

Caribbean sub-regions

The Caribbean has nine sub-regions

• Bahamian,
• Bermuda,
• Eastern Caribbean,
• Florida,
• Greater Antilles,
• Gulf of Mexico,
• Southern Caribbean,
• Southwestern Caribbean,
• Western Caribbean